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Vermilion Conservationist Fall 2018 Forest Glen Kennekuk Lake Vermilion Heron Cheeseburgers and Fun Event The Vermilion County Conservation Foundation would like to thank everyone for coming out to the Cheeseburger and Fun event on Saturday, August 11. A great crowd enjoyed the live bands throughout the afternoon into the evening as well as over 200 antique cars, Corvettes, hot rods, antique tractors, and more on display. A big hit this year with the kids was the addition of Joyful Bubbles. Foundation Chairman Gordon Thoennes extends an additional thank you to those who contributed to the success of the event. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for a very successful Cheeseburger and Fun event. Event Coordinators Rick Strebing and Michael Puhr and those who participated worked hard and made the event one of the premier events in Vermilion County. We would all be remiss in not thanking the staff of VCCD who gave of their time in set up and tear down. Without their efforts we would not be able to have such a great event.” The complete list of the generous sponsors for the 2018 Cheeseburgers and Fun event are inside on page 10. Director’s Dateline I would like to thank everyone for the encouragement and support on my recent appointment to Executive Director. The progression from Director of Operations to Interim Executive Director to Executive Director in a four month period certainly has been an adjustment for me and the staff. Understandably most of my time involves working in the office, but I still enjoy opportunities to get Vermilion Conservationist outside and work on projects that my former position required. The dedicated VCCD staff and Board of Trustees have greatly assisted me This newsletter is a publication of in my transition to Director. the Vermilion County Conservation District. It covers news, programs, and Lara Darling has been promoted to Education Supervisor. Lara has natural history information of interest to residents of Vermilion County. It is free worked for the VCCD since 1998 as an environmental educator upon request from: and volunteer coordinator. As education supervisor she will lead the education staff on the numerous VCCD events, summer camps, Vermilion County Conservation District Traveling Naturalist, and the Outdoor School program. 22296 Henning Road Danville, IL 61834 With our recent staffing changes some of the repairs and upgrades Executive Director to our parks have been delayed. Some projects we still want to Jamie Pasquale accomplish this year include repairs to the Willow Creek Pond spillway, new dump station & leach field for the campgrounds, Newsletter Editor-In-Chief repairs to the boardwalk, energy efficiency upgrades to the Kennekuk Lara Darling Visitor Center, new concession stand at Lake Vermilion, and Contributing Staff continue parking lot as well as boat ramp improvements at Lake Jamie Pasquale Vermilion. Susan Biggs Warner Amy Steeples We had anticipated that construction of the 1.8 mile section of the Kimberly Fox Michael Kotcher Kickapoo Rail Trail would begin in July. Due to delays in IEPA Cole Craft permits and issues with tree removal required for construction, the Nick Jeurissen start has been delayed until this fall and continuing into next year. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is optimistic that bid Board of Trustees letting will occur in August 2019 for the section of trail through Jonathan A. Myers Charles Schroeder Kickapoo State Park. This section includes the trestle bridge over the Doug Staske Middle Fork River near the Vermilion County Fairgrounds. INDR’s Shelley McLain plans include a new bridge deck over the river and a trail head with Randy Johnson parking and restroom facilities off of US Route 150. The Vermilion County Conservation District does not discriminate on Jamie Pasquale the basis of race, color, sex, national Executive Director origin, age, or handicap in admission to or treatment or employment in program activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the U.S. Constitution. 2 Vermilion County Conservation District Announces New Executive Director The Vermilion County Conservation District (VCCD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the promotion of Jamie Pasquale to the position of Executive Director at a special board meeting on August 1, 2018. Pasquale had been serving as the Interim Executive Director since the middle of March 2018. Board Trustee Chuck Schroeder and Trustee Shelley McLain were two of six people from the community to serve on the Executive Director Search Committee. Schroeder stated the VCCD received 36 applications for the position. The search committee interviewed eligible applicants and recommended three people to the board. "Jamie will be a great Director for the Conservation District. The Board is looking forward to great things under Jamie's direction," said Schroeder. Pasquale is a Vermilion County native, growing up in Georgetown and now residing in rural Danville. He began his full-time employment with the VCCD in January 1998 as the Site Superintendent of Lake Vermilion. He was promoted to Associate Director of Operations in 2001. Pasquale has also served as President of the Illinois Association of Conservation Districts and is a member of the Lake Vermilion Water Quality Coalition. Jonathan Myers, VCCD Board President adds, "Jamie brings experience and dedication to the position and the Board is confident in his ability to not only sustain, but also to grow the reputation of our Parks as the crown jewel of the County." The Vermilion County Conservation District was formed in 1966 by a referendum vote of the citizens of Vermilion County in Illinois and manages approximately 5000 acres at Forest Glen Preserve, Kennekuk County Park, Lake Vermilion, and Heron County Park. On Friday, July 13, 2018, the VCCD hosted the Danville Boys and Girls Club at Kennekuk County Park. Approximately 100 kids and adults enjoyed an afternoon of fishing, hiking, and a hayride around the park. Photos at left by Nick Jeurissen 3 Fall & Winter Programs and Activities September 1 Public Hayride at Forest Glen, 6 p.m. Meet at LJK Visitor Center parking lot. $1/person Fee 17 Outdoor School begins at Forest Glen & Kennekuk for 8 weeks for area 4th & 5th graders. 15 Wool Dyeing Demonstration, Forest Glen Homestead Cabin; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free! 19 VCCD Board Meeting at Gannett Education Center, 4:30 p.m. Forest Glen - Public Invited 22–23 Revolutionary War Re-enactment 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday Battle Reenactments each day! Homestead Cabin area, Forest Glen. Free! 23 Pioneer Craft Day, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Homestead Cabin area, Forest Glen. Free! October 6 Public Hayride at Forest Glen, 6 p.m. Meet at LJK Visitor Center parking lot. $1/person Fee 6 Vermilion County Conservation Foundation Sportsman’s Banquet; 5 p.m. Sleepy Creek Vineyard, Oakwood; call 217-442-1691 for ticket information 12 VCCF Board Meeting, Zack Hickman Room at Kennekuk Visitor Center, 9 a.m. 17 VCCD Board Meeting at Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, 4:30 p.m. Public Invited November 4 Thanksgiving at the Cabin, 1 - 4 p.m., Forest Glen Homestead Cabin area, Free! 14 VCCD Board Meeting at Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, 4:30 p.m. Public Invited December 2 Holiday Open House, 2 - 8 p.m. Bunker Hill Historic Area, Kennekuk. Free! 2-31 Holiday Lights at the Bunker Hill Historic Area, each night 5 - 8 p.m. Kennekuk. Free! 5 VCCD Board Meeting at Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, 4:30 p.m. Public Invited 7 VCCF Board Meeting, Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, 9 a.m. * Please note: Due to staff limitations and time involvement, the Haunted Happenings event originally scheduled for October 20 has been cancelled for 2018. 4 Be a Volunteer for your County Parks! The Vermilion County Conservation District has many opportunities for people of all ages to volunteer at the parks. Volunteers can help monitor trail conditions and do light maintenance work such as clearing branches and collecting litter. This is a great way to get exercise, spend time with your family or enjoy nature on your own, and contribute to the parks. We also utilize volunteers at our special events throughout the year like the Maple Syrup Open House, Pioneer Craft Day, Holiday Open House, and more. Our biggest need for volunteers is staffing the buildings on Sunday afternoons. The Kennekuk Visitor Center needs volunteers to greet visitors, answer general questions, and sell candy, chips, soda, or water from 12 p.m. - 4 p. m. on Sunday’s from May through October. At Kennekuk’s Bunker Hill Historic Area as well as Forest Glen’s Pioneer Cabin and Nature Center, volunteers are needed to greet visitors from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday’s from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. No prior knowledge or experience is needed, and training is provided. Without volunteers in the buildings, they remain locked to our park visitors. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lara Darling at 217-442-1691, or [email protected], Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 5 Old Barn Bridge Update Story and Photos by Nick Jeurissen Unfortunately, a detour along a gravel road was necessary this year to cross the creek on the Old Barn Trail at Forest Glen. Don’t worry though, a Scout from Troop 234 is working on it! 15-year old Kenny Clarkston of Westville approached the district last fall looking for a potential project required to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scouts have accomplished a long list of ventures throughout the years for the VCCD and we are more than happy to assist them in their endeavor.